Deep ruby in the glass, with a garnet rim. Subdued but very appealing nose of wood and blackberry. Medium body, subdued tannins. Dry but quite fruity: cherries and blackberries, along with subtle oak and spices. Slightly bitter finish; really good length. A bit of heat from the 14.5% alcohol, but not overwhelming. Really enjoyable Shiraz; recommended. See Torbreck Wines.

In the glass this is clear, medium ruby red with a garnet rim. Medium intensity nose of cherries black and red; an almost-cinnamon spice, and a bit of wood. Dry, medium acidity and medium-plus tannins. Ripe black cherries dominate in the mouth, along with raspberry and plum; again a spiciness with a nice supporting kick from the 14.5% alcohol. Quite fruity and bold and nicely balanced. Medium finish. This is 66% Grenache, 21% Mourvèdre, 13% Shiraz. I haven’t had a lot of Grenache and will have to explore further; it seems to have much of the quality of Shiraz without being, for want of a better word, quite so obvious about its fruit.

$41 at Kitsilano Wine Cellar, a gift from my father. See Penfolds.

In this glass this is dark ruby leaning towards purple, with a garnet rim. Clean, medium intensity nose of cherry and wood with a medicinal quality. Dry, medium acidity and low tannins with a medium body. Full of intense ripe fruits: cherries, red and black, along with blackberries. This is backed up by wood and spice, and again a slight medicinal or mint quality. Good length. 14.5% alcohol but this is not overwhelming. Overall very good; I really enjoy this one and recommend it. $36 at Crosstown. See Torbreck Wines, and the winemaker’s notes for this vintage (PDF).

Clear, medium-plus ruby red, with a slight purple rim. Medium intensity nose of black fruit, oak, and peppercorns. Dry, medium acidity and tannins, and a medium body. Straightforward oak and dark berry flavours, and a hint of dark chocolate; not a lot of length. Overall good. 14% alcohol. This was a gift from my father; it was about $20 at Kits Wine Cellar. See Hardys Wines.

A medium-deep ruby in the glass, this wine has an appealing nose of wood, spice, and a bit of dark berry. Dry, medium acidity and medium-plus tannins, and an almost-medium body. The oak is more subtle in the mouth, with black fruits dominating; again some spice, along with some herbaceous notes. Good length with a tannic and slightly red fruit finish, along with some heat from the 14.5% alcohol. Well balanced; not as flashy as some Barossa Shiraz, but overall good, and recommended. See Peter Lehmann of the Barossa. $36 at Crosstown.

In the glass this is clear, medium-plus ruby with hints of purple. Clean, medium intensity nose of plum, black cherry, and a bit of oak. Dry, medium acidity and low tannins; medium-plus body. Black cherry and spice are what appeal here but they are almost overpowered by a fairly strong medicinal quality. Good length but one-dimensional, and a bit of a sickly sweetness in the finish. Overall good, but not terribly enjoyable. 14.1% alcohol. Not good value for price at almost $34 (Crosstown). See Layer Cake Wines.

Deep ruby red with a thin garnet rim. Appealing medium nose of black cherry, spice, and oak with some hints of sweetness. Dry, medium-plus acidity, and medium body. Medium level of soft but prominent tannins; the heat from the 14.5% alcohol is apparent and works well to bolster the flavours here. Which are black cherry, liquorice, and ripe plum, along with cedar and spice. Nice complexity; rich, powerful, deep. Good length with wood and pepper coming to the fore. Overall very good; recommended.

$35 at Kitsilano Wine Cellar. See Mt Billy Wines (warning: Flash site).

Clear, deep ruby red with a tinge of purple. Clean, medium intensity nose of red and black cherry, ripe plum, and blackberry with spice and candy sweetness. Dry, medium acidity and body, gentle tannins. The oak comes through on the palate along with a real heat from the 14.5% alcohol over a well-balanced base of ripe fruit—red berries with blackberry for balance. Good length with spices coming through in the finish. Very enjoyable: recommended.

$42 at Crosstown. See Bird in Hand.